Pull match package



Dec. 5, 1950 J. A. BUICK PULL MATCH PACKAGE Filed Oct. 10, 1947 e jnuentor; Clo/1n Arlon Buick f Fig.5.

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Patented Dec. 5, 1950 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE PULL MATCH PACKAGE John Arlon Buick, Norfolk, Va. Application October 10, 1947, Serial No."779,028

This invention relates to improvements in match packages in which matches are ignited as they are withdrawn from the package. A primary object of the invention is the provision of a device of this character which formsan improvement over the match packets now in general use in that it is more practical in form and arrangement so as to be more easily and reliably manipulated by, and thereby more attractive to, the user, and hence more suitable for general and widespread adoption.

Another important object of the invention is to provide a pull match package device which is simpler in its construction and in the manner of association of its relatively few component parts, whereby the device is susceptible of production at relatively low cost.

Another important object of the invention is to provide a device of the above indicated character involving the employment of paper, rather than wooden matches, with the paper matches arranged in sheets, each sheet being composed of a plurality of matches positioned in side-byside relation, or, if desired, in somewhat overlapping relation, adjacent matches being connected together by bonds which are required to be severed by the user before an individual or a group of matches can be separated from the others in a sheet and withdrawn or pulled from the package to bring the heads of the matches p into the frictional contact with ignition strips, with which the package is provided, for igniting the match or matches.

Another important object of the invention is to provide a pull match package of the above indicated character in which at least two separate sheets of matches are involved, these sheets being loosely inserted in and held frictionally in the cover of the package on opposite sides of a separator secured to the cover, the sheets and in-- dividual matches not being otherwise connected to'or secured in the cover, yet sufficiently securely assembled therein for all practical pur poses, whereby quick and easy withdrawal of severed matches is facilitated and unnecessary fastening means eliminated.

Another important object of the invention is to provide a pull match package of the'foregoing character in which matches composing the sheets can be separated merely by slits or be substantially spaced from each other, withbonds between laterally adjacent matches being in any case limited to a fraction of the length of the matches near the ends opposite their ignitable heads and arrangedto be readily reached and 3 Claims. (01. 20629) severed preferably by the thumb nail of the user, sufiicient of the length of the matches being extended beyond the location of the bonds and toward the open or withdrawal end of the cover to provide effective grasp of the individual matches between fingers of the user, whereby emcient' withdrawal and ignition of individual matches isv assured.

Other important objects and advantageous features of the invention will be apparent from the following description and accompanying drawings, wherein merely for purposes of illustration, a presently preferred embodiment of the invention is set forth.

In the drawings- Figure 1 is a side elevation, with the near side of the cover broken away to show the arrangement of the matches therein.

Figure 2 is a transverse vertical section taken on the line 22 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a vertical section similar to Fig. 2 showing application of the users fingers to the opposite sides of the cover whereby one or both of the ignition strips are pressed against a match head as the match head passes in contact therewith and is ignited as the match is withdrawn from the package, and

Figure 4 is a side elevation of a modified arrangement of match layer and spacing strip, with the near side of the cover broken away.

Referring in detail to the drawings, the illustrated embodiment comprises a cover i in the form of a stiff paper or similar material sheet folded at its middle to provide similar front and rear parts. The inner or facing surfaces of these parts are provided near their lower edges with frictional ignition strips 5, which are arranged to be compressed by fingers of the user against the head of a match as the match is withdrawn from the cover.

The cover i encloses a preferably paper material match block herein shown as consisting of two spaced layers of matches 2, the matches in each layer being unconnected throughout the major portion of their length so as to be laterally separated from each other, either by the distance of a minimum slit or by a greater distance where desired. The matches in each of the two layers are separated from each other for the same major portion of the length thereof, that is, from the heads 8 of the matches 2 to a point below the lower edges of the front and back parts of the cover I, at which point adjacentmatches in each layer are connected by connecting portions or bonds e. The connecting portions 6 of each match layer are preferably integral portions of such layer, though bonds of any other suitable nature may be arranged to provide sufficient connection between the individual matches while at the same time providing for easy, efficient and rapid disconnection of individual matches when desired, as by severance of the connecting portions 5 by application of the use "s thumbnail thereto.

The shanks of the matches are extended below the connecting portions 5 to provide tabs which facilitate selection and separation of individual matches by grasping them with the fingers, which tabs also act as visual indicators of the number and location of matches remaining for use in the cover I.

The double match block when in position in the cover i has the match heads 8 spacedly positioned within the fold of the cover 9, as indicated in Figure 2, at a level above a separator or spacing strip 3, which is provided to positively separate the two layers of matches 2. The separator 3 is in the nature of a plain elongated stiif paper sheet length is approximately the same as the width of the cover, and when in position has its lower edge spaced sulnciently above the igniting strips 5 to define therebetween an ignition chamber l in which any flare from the igniting of a match can be harmlessly contained when such occurs.

It will be noted that the separator strip 3 is arranged as a. baffle between ignition chamber '5 and the heads of any matches remaining the package, and serves to block the travel of flame from a match head ignited by contacting an ignition strip '5 while being withdrawn from the package. It has been found that by locating the narrow ignition strips 5 below the bottom edge of the separator strip 3 by a distance greater than the height of a match head that the u ward travel of name from the ignited match is effectively stopped, the match head having completel passed by the separator strip 3 before engaging an ignition strip 5 and the separator strip reflexed to a substantially central position above the ignition chamber l to form a b-affle.

The separator 3 is stapled at its ends to the front and back parts of the cover i, staples 3 being employed which, instead of compacting the parts together as in ordinary match packets, leave the front and back cover par s spaced from the separator 3 sufficiently on opposite sides thereof, so that as any match 2 is detached at the bond 6 and pulled from the cover, the match head 3 can pass downwardly between the separator 3 and the related cover part without undue resistance. These spacings, however, are on the other hand sufficiently close so that the match block is loosely frictionally held assembled in place in the cover without requiring other positive fastening means, which would add to the bulk and expensiveness of the device.

In order to prevent the match block from being displaced fromv the cover as a match is separated at the point 6 and withdrawn from the cover, and in order to provide eficient igniting friction between the separated match and one or both of the igniting strips 5, the fingers of the user are compressed on opposite sides, that is, on the front and back parts of the cover along the locations of the igniting strips, so that as the severed match is pulled downwardly toward completely withdrawn position, the match will emerge with its head 8 ignited for use.

It will be observed that whenever the matches of one layer have been removed from the package behind or in front of remaining matches of the other layer, the compressing of the cover by the users fingers will bring both igniting strips 5 into position for contact by subsequently withdrawn matches, so that in that case two igniting strips come into action, instead of only the one which is available while both layers of matches are intact, for the ignition of matches withdrawn from either layer.

In Fig. 4 I have shown a modified match layer 2A having alternate matches extending forwardly and rearwardly of the spacing strip 3 from a single, centrally mounted lower layer portion which includes the integral connecting bonds 6 and the bottom tabs projecting below the cover i. With this arrangement the match layer is frictionally held in position by spacing strip 3 while individual matches are severed by the users thumbnail and pulled from the package.

While it is apparent that the illustrated embodiments herein described are well calculated to adequately fulfill the objects and advantages herein stated, it is to be understod that the invention is susceptible to variation, modification and change within the spirit and scope of the subjoined claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A pull match package comprising a flexible elongated sheet folded between its ends to provide a Ushaped cover having front and back cover parts, the inner surface of said front and back cover parts carrying near their free ends narrow strips of igniting material, a flexible separator comprising an elongated relatively narrow strip disposed substantially centrally between the front and back cover parts with its upper edge adjacent to but spaced from the fold of the cover and its lower edge spaced from the ignition strips by a distance greater than the height of a match head, means loosely securing the ends of said separator strip to the side portions of said front and back cover parts, and matches ararnged in groups on each side of said separator with their heads located within the fold of said cover and above said separator, and their stems extending beyond the free ends of said front and back cover parts, the space within the cover between the lower edge of said separator strip and said ignition strips forming an ignition chamber in which any flame is harmlessly contained when a match is lighted by pulling it from its normal position past an ignition strip.

2. A pull match package comprising a flexible elongated sheet folded between its ends to provide a U-shaped cover having front and back cover parts, the inner surface of said front and back cover parts carrying near their free ends narrow strips of igniting material, a flexible separator comprising an elongated relatively narrow strip disposed substantially centrally between the front and back cover parts with its upper edge adjacent to but spaced from the fold f the cover and its lower edge spaced from the ignition strips by a distance greater than the height of a match head, means loosely securing the ends of said separator strip to the side portions of said front and back cover parts, and matches arranged in groups on each side of said separator with heir heads located within the fold of said cover and above said separator, and their stems extending beyond the free ends of said front and back cover parts, said separator strip being arranged to block the travel of flame from a match head ignited by an ignition strip to- 5 wards the heads of the remaining matches in the package when a match is lighted by pulling it from its normal position into contact with an ignition strip.

3. A pull match package comprising a flexible elongated sheet folded between its ends to provide a U-shaped cover having front and back cover parts, the inner surface of said front and back cover parts carrying near their free ends narrow strips of igniting material, a flexible separator comprising an elongated relatively narrow strip disposed substantially centrally between the front and back cover parts with its upper edge adjacent to but spaced from the fold of the cover and its lower edge spaced from the ignition strips by a distance greater than the height of a match head, means loosely securing the ends of said separator strip to the side portions of said front and back cover parts, and matches arranged in a block with severable means connecting adjacent matches near their stem ends and their heads located within the fold of said cover and above said separator strip,

alternate match stems engaging the forward and J. ARLON BUICK.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date Whitlock June '6, 1933 Parker Oct. 29, 1935 Pullen June 22, 1937 Number 

